Fly or Fall

Chapter Thirty-One

Prince Nicco took another large gulp of his drink and let the alcohol burn it's way down his throat, intoxicating his system even further. He'd lost count of the drinks. Lost count of the hours. Music played loudly all across the bar and his heart pulsed with the beat of it. He flagged down the bartender when his glass was empty again. The bartender, a tall woman with beautiful ebony skin and a flirty smile, poured him another glass of gin. He drowned it in one swing.

"I'm going to have to cut you off soon," the bartender warned as she leaned over the counter.

Nicco gave her a pout holding out his glass out to her. She obliged. "I'm still conscious."

"Not how it works hon." She rolled her eyes before moving to the other side of the bar to serve other customers.

Nicco nursed this glass as he hunched over the bar counter. "Nicco?" a voice said from behind him. He turned. A man in black harem pants, a white shirt and a painstakingly embroidered turquoise corset stood behind him. He had shoulder length blonde hair which fell against his angular face and freckle dusted cheeks. His eyes were ocean blue. Nicco recognized those eyes.

"I know you," Nicco said, his words coming out a little slurred. "You're Thea's cousin."

"Eon Lone," he reminded and put out his hand for Nicco to shake. Nicco stared at it for a moment before he took it in his.

"Your cousin told me to stay away from you," he said in a whisper as if he were sharing a secret.

"I was under the impression you don't listen to a word my cousin says."

Nicco smiled. "Oh, I don't." He gestured to the seat beside him. "Would you like to join me."

Eon took the seat. "I was very sorry to hear about your brother and sister," he said. "You must be beside yourself with worry. But I'm certain they will be found."

Nicco was taken aback for a moment by the genuine sincerity in his voice. He hadn't expected it. From Eon at the very least. "Yes, the Kuth are working tirelessly," he gave the same monotonous reply he'd been giving all day.

Eon returned his reply with a small smile before he hailed the bartender. "Would you let me buy you a drink."

He accepted the offer and the bartender poured him another glass and one for Eon. Nicco stared down into his cup and watched the colorless liquid swirl. He thought of M.A.G.E. He could still remember the day they broke into the palace and killed his father. Every detail of that day was etched into his brain. The memories of which visited him when he was at his weakest. He'd learned something that day; there are much scarier things in this world than the demons that haunt you. Real things that left invisible scars. They made him feel pathetic, but he couldn't help it. He'd had this awful sickening lurch in his stomach since that day, as though he'd been treading through the woods alone for hours in search for his way out but couldn't find it no matter which way he turned. Thinking about M.A.G.E, thinking about his brother and sister in their clutches, felt like old wounds were reopening. He was terrified he wouldn't survive them again.

"Your highness." Eon nudged him, stirring from his stupor.

"Yes?" he turned to meet Eon. He smiled again. "You were saying?"

"Nothing important." He took a sip of his drink, scrunching his face at the bitter taste.

Nicco took a moment staring at him. It was truly jarring how much Eon looked like Thea. "You and Thea," he said, then took a slow sip of his drink. "You're not close."